2009 Toyota Avensis: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Toyota Avensis?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Toyota Avensis than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Suspension arm2.9× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  9.1% All 2009 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  12.3% All 2009 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 3.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  6.1% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Side repeaters2.4× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  3.3% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Corroded fuel pipes4.2× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  2.1% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2009 Toyota Avensis MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Rust and bodywork
  7% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Known faults on the 2009 Toyota Avensis

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear suspension arm recall

  All engines

  Rear suspension arms adjusted during an alignment or service could develop play and fail, risking loss of control.

  At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

• Accelerator pedal recall (2010)

  Early cars

  The accelerator might not return to idle, or return slowly. Recalled cars had the pedal modified.

  At the viewing: Make sure the pedal springs back promptly.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Toyota Avensis

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the rear suspension arm recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2009 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2009 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?